Tune in on December 9th At 5pm (ET) to Watch the National Christmas Tree Lighting LIVE

The ceremony will be streamed live at www.thenationaltree.org starting at 5:00pm ET / 2:00pm PT, and will be broadcast nationwide beginning December 10th on public television stations nationwide in partnership with WETA Washington, D.C., the flagship public broadcasting station in the nation’s capital (check local listings for program time). For more information about the 2010 National Christmas Tree Lighting, visit www.thenationaltree.org.

Throughout the years, the National Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony has become a celebrated American holiday tradition. Originally started by President Calvin Coolidge in 1923, this year’s ceremony marks the 87th anniversary of the National Christmas Tree Lighting.

This year, President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama and their family will officially light the National Christmas Tree at the annual holiday tree lighting ceremony on the Ellipse in Presidents Park, on Thursday, December 9th. The ceremony, hosted by hip hop artist and actor Common, will feature a talented lineup of performers including blues legend B.B. King, Grammy®-nominated singer-songwriter and pianist Sara Bareilles, Grammy®-award winning band Maroon 5, ten year-old “America’s Got Talent” soprano prodigy Jackie Evancho, from rock group My Morning Jacket singer-songwriter Jim James, singer-songwriter Ingrid Michaelson Miss America Caressa Cameron, and Washington D.C.’s own Duke Ellington School of the Arts choir. And of course, the night would not be complete without a special appearance by Santa.

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